Sikh Art can be seen as an art deeply rooted in religious and cultural contexts. Regardless of whether art itself is religious or not, Sikh Art basically was and has been a reflection of values, history and spirituality of Sikhism. This religious artistic style forms a subset to the broader spectrum of the regional Punjabi art, depicting the unique cultural and religious heritage of Sikh community.

History

Sikh Art began as early as in the 16th century on the borders and margins of hand printed books. It was about a century later that the paintings of the Sikh Gurus emerged. As Sikhism began to systematically establish itself in the 19th century, the different disunified Sikh factions portrayed the Gurus in their own unique ways.

The Khalsa Era

The 18th century was marked by the darkest chapter in Sikh history, between the demise of Guru Gobind Singh and the destruction of Darbar Sahib in 1764. Ahmed Shah Abdali, the Afghan invader, attacked on February 5th, 1762 resulted in a horrific massacre of over 30,000 Sikh men, women and children, also known as Wadda Ghalughara (or the Great Massacre). With Sikh Misls eventually taking control of Punjab, the era from 1760s to 1800s marked a shift for the Sikhs with the opportunity to move beyond survival to historical reflection.

Sikh artists developed a distinct artistic approach by adopting and reinterpreting the prevailing Mughal and Hindu court styles. Their art featured Gurus painted using watercolors on paper, and often included multi-layered composition as opposed to single-point perspective. These paintings were majorly made for the Sikh elites. For instance, this image of Guru Nanak Dev, painted around 1825 exemplifies their work.

Artistic Evolution & Cultural Interplay

The early 18th century was a time for intense struggle and persecution for the Sikh community, which left little room for exploring the artistic tradition. It was only in the late 18th century, during the Sikh rule, that Sikh Art flourished. This period saw some of the first Sikh commissioned paintings and illustrated manuscripts by skilled artists and scribes.

The artists behind these paintings were predominantly Hindus, with a rich artistic lineage, passed on from generation to generation, who often worked for Maharajas and wealthy patrons. When depicting Sikh Gurus, their traditions inevitably influenced their work in terms of elements of the paintings. As a result, it becomes difficult to understand and differentiate between the creative interpretation of the artist and insight of the Sikh patron. Therefore, it is crucial to look at the background of a painting, especially in early Khalsa Era works, to better understand this interplay while evaluating a Sikh painting.

Notable Sikh Art Styles

These art styles also showcase the stages of growth and development of Sikh Art.

Illustrated Manuscripts

The Adi Guru Granth Sahib, primary scripture of the Sikh community, was meticulously hand-copied, showcasing devotees’ calligraphy and artistic skills. Manuscripts from the early 17th century demonstrated geometric patterns, an influence of Islamic traditions. These patterns were replaced by floral designs in the late 17th century which persisted till the 18th century. By the mid 18th century, Kashmiri style, which is known for vibrant floral and vine motifs, became prominent. This style was prevalent in Punjab during that period, and it became one of the most significant contributions to the Sikh Art.

Mural Paintings

Mural paintings in India date back to the Ajanta Caves. Although there’s no direct evidence of the mural paintings in old Punjab, Lahore Fort’s murals from Akbar’s reign demonstrate early mural paintings of Punjab, featuring secular and mughal court scenes. Mughal rulers of northern India, including those of Punjab supported mural paintings. Sikh patrons, influenced by Mughal and Western styles (due to British), contributed to the growth of Sikh murals, adorning buildings, houses and religious places with portraits of Gurus and historical scenes. The Golden Temple in Amritsar, decorated under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, showcases elaborate Sikh murals with rich patterns and vibrant colors. Apart from the Golden temple, there are other buildings as well that depict Sikh murals.

On Paper and Canvases

During the brief decade of Sikh rule, a surge in artistic patronage led to the emergence of the Sikh Schools. This period saw Sikhs enhancing their past by adorning Gurdwaras with paintings of Sikh Gurus, building upon and expanding the Mughal style.

Sikh paintings saw a radical shift when an Austrian painter August Schoefft visited the Sikh empire. He brought academic realism to the art form. His portraits of Ranjit Singh and Sher Singh introduced a new dramatic art style that infused both realism and the grandeur of the past.

Another breakthrough was brought by Sobha Singh, a self taught painter who used Western techniques brought by Schoefft to paint. His single-point perspective idealized representation of Sikh Gurus, such as those Guru Angad and Guru Gobind Singh quickly gained popularity. Singh’s work played a significant role in standardizing Sikh Art, while also raising questions about cultural appropriation and the blend of Western and Sikh artistic styles in both historical and modern context.

In conclusion,

Sikh Art represents a unique convergence of devotion, cultural history and artistic expression. It seamlessly merges indigenous traditions with Mughal, Hindu, and Western influences, reflecting dynamic artistic traditions all the while preserving and expanding Sikh heritage through both historical and contemporary lenses.

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By Vidhi Ojha